Canucks: draftee Ryan Kesler

By Brendan Macgranachan

July 6th, 2003

Centerman Ryan Kesler is one of thenewest members of the Vancouver Canucks organization. Kesler, a native of Livonia, Michigan, wasthe Canucks first pick, (23th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He joins Ohio State University teammate R.J. Umberger in the organization.“R.J. never said anything (about the organization)”, Kesler said, “It feelsgood to be on the same team as R.J., we complement each other realwell.”

Kesler was ranked 16th among North Americanskaters by CSB and was projected to go a bit higher than when he was selected.“I was nervous (waiting to be called). As the picks go on and on, you askyourself, ‘When am I going to get picked?’ I’m glad I got picked in thefirst round, it took off all the pressure,” he said. “You just got to keepit positive.”

Kesler is a hard checking, two-way player that canplace the puck in the net. Beforeheading to OSU, Kesler spent two season on the U.S. National U-18 DevlopmentProgram. He lead the U-18’s in scoring last season with 19 goals and 43assists for 62 points and sat 30 minutes in the box. He also won goldat the IIHF World U-18 Championship, silver at the Three Nations Cup andwas golden again at the U-17 Challenge. “I always wanted to play in theOntario Hockey League. My rights belong to the Brampton Battalion so Iwanted to play there. but things never worked out there. Playing with theNational team I think changed my mind to go to college.”

Kesler joined the Buckeyes for the 2002-03 season.He had a strong freshman year, netting 11 goals to go along with 20 assistsin 40 games. The Buckeyes finished 3rd in the CCHA with a 25-13-5 record.The finished behind Ferris State University (31-10-1) and Michigan State,lead by Jeff Tambellini, (30-10-3). “We started off strong than tailedoff towards the end. We had a hard 1-0 loss to Boston College to finishour season.”

Kesler told HF that he is most likely to stay inschool and take the same route Umberger did, stay 2-3 years and develop.“I’m just contractating on getting better right now. If I’m back in school,I’m back in school. I’ve haven’t thought about it much.”